fatigue after my runs help please

I'm getting back into running after about 3 years. I have always had a fatigue problem after my runs but this time back at running even after only running 1mile or 2 miles(it doesn't really matter the distance it seems) I get home and I'am completely exhausted. I usually try to eat something like a homemade whole wheat muffin or oatmeal to give me some complex carbs for fuel but it doesn't seem to be enough. Im trying to stay in the 1500 calorie range but I try to listen to my body as well, so some days I do get more then 1500 calories. But Im trying to loose about 15 lbs. I hope I'm consuming enough calories to fuel my run but with only running 2 miles max Im having a hard time believing that 1500-1700 calories would not be sufficient. any help would be much appreciated.

Maybe it has nothing to do with fuel. When's the last time you had a complete physical? Underlying medical problems can cause fatigue, too, like anemia, hypothyroidism, and coronary artery disease, to name a few. And since you say fatigue has always been a problem for you . . .

Yes I do have a hoshimotos disease (thyroid issue) but am under doctors care for that and have it under control as it can be. I have asked if that could be a factor and of course it can but as long as I'm taking my meds and keeping up with blood work there is not much more I can do. I'm 31 years old and am a pretty healthy person so I have not had any heart check ups but your comment switchback makes me at least want to rule it out. I have always assumed my exhaustion was due to a nutrition gap rather then medical issues. I still believe that to be the case but it wouldn't hurt to get a physical non the less.

When you get your regular blood tests, they may only be checking for those things they are interested in knowing. So only the hormones related to your thyroid condition. They may not be checking for iron, calcium, potassium etc.

I get regular blood testing for thyroid/hormone problems as well. I have asked them if they could take enough blood to run a full panel (if you want glucose or cholesterol readings just make sure you fast for 8 hours) that time. They have done it. So that may be a nice easy way to check some things.

1500 calories is NOT enough. That's about what your body uses at rest. You're starting your workouts depleted. Also, do you have an food allergies that may be making you tired? If you're eating muffins, maybe it's gluten? Personally, I'd start by upping my caloric intake. Find out what your BMR/RMR is and go up from there.

Fatigue may be due to lifestyle changes. If you just restarted running that can cause fatigue. If you just started cutting calories that can cause fatigue. You can experiment by eating more carbs and see if that helps fatigue.

I just went to the doctor for this same problem. There were a number of issues that I was having. I would suggest that you use a food logging program like MyFitnessPal for a few weeks to see what nutrients you aren't getting in your diet. Then go to the doctor with your food log in hand. It's made worlds of difference for me. The first thing they did was increase my calories by 600 a day and change the types of food I eat. But, for right now, try a banana or apple before your run and chocolate milk after. If you run very often, you may not be recovering well.

I would also recommend that you eat within 20 minutes of completing your run. Your post run food need to have carbs and protein in it. If I do a long run and do not eat within the 20 minutes, the rest of my day is shot. It really works and is highly recommended by those on here with a lot more experience than I have.

Yes I do have a hoshimotos disease (thyroid issue) but am under doctors care for that and have it under control as it can be. I have asked if that could be a factor and of course it can but as long as I'm taking my meds and keeping up with blood work there is not much more I can do. I'm 31 years old and am a pretty healthy person so I have not had any heart check ups but your comment switchback makes me at least want to rule it out. I have always assumed my exhaustion was due to a nutrition gap rather then medical issues. I still believe that to be the case but it wouldn't hurt to get a physical non the less.

Thank you for your comments its much appreciated

Hey Samantha,

I hope I'm doing this right. I've never posted anything before. My daughter (21 years old) also has Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I've been taking her to an alternative health care professional - Dr. Roy Kerry (724) 368-3558 (Office) - in Portersville, PA. She's been on a medication called Cytomel (which gives her energy) for a few years, but Dr. Kerry is encouraging us to take her through a new alternative treatment that he has seen cure Hashimoto's as well as Psoriasis: "Low Dose Allergen Therapy" discovered by W.A. Shrader, Jr., M.D., an environmental medicine Dr. This is definitely not traditional medicine though. Your doctor may discourage pursuit of this. Good luck!